9 
developed by the interagency task force. It is recognized that initially 
decisions may be made on the basis of incomplete data." 
Regardina the fourth recommendation. Dr. Gottesman suggested that RAC and its 
working group assume the responsibilities outlined in recommendation four. No 
report, however, would be issued in ninety days. Recommendation four reads as 
follows : 
"(4) The task force should consider the need for oversight of research scale 
releases and, if appropriate, develop guidelines for reviewing proposals 
for such releases. The task force should prepare a report containing 
its conclusions on this matter within 90 days of its establishment. 
The report should be made available to the Subcommittee." 
Dr. Gottesman suggested the working group reject the fifth recommendation vhich 
is as follows : 
"(5) The NIH should cease its practice of evaluating and approving proposals 
for deliberate releases from commercial biotechnology companies. The 
NIH should review proposals only from parties engaged in NIH-sponsored 
research, and refer requests from industry to the appropriate agency." 
Dr. Gottesman suggested the working group endorse the sixth recommendation 
as reoards the NIH. The sixth recommendation is as follows: 
"(6' The NIH and USDA should revise the membership of their respective 
Recombinant DNA Advisory Committees (RAC) to include individuals 
specifically trained in ecology and the environmental sciences." 
Dr. Gottesman suggested the working group offer no comment on the seventh 
recommendation which is as follows : 
"(7) The General Accounting Office should review the activities of USDA in 
overseeing biotechnology and evaluate the agency's authority to 
reaulate deliberate releases under all relevant statutes, regulations, 
and executive orders." 
Dr. Pirone thought recommendation two of the report should be transposed bo be 
the first recommendation as it deals wdth the activities of an oversight committee. 
He noted that RAC already serves the function of educating the public and should 
(continue to educate the public. Dr. Gottesman thought a preamble to her motion 
rmiqht address Dr. Pirone' s concern. 
Dr. Sharpies asked if Dr. Gottesman 's motion should define a period of time 
during which RAC would operate as the oversight committee. Dr. Arntzen felt 
the preamble should specify a time frame in which RAC would function as the 
oversiqht body. Drs. Clowes and Gottesman felt no period should be specified; 
other aaencies wall determine when they are ready to assume responsibilities. 
Dr. Clowes thought the legal, jurisdictional, and Congressional picture was 
too complex to plan for future events. He felt the motion should be purposely 
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